Mollie Pearce Mckibbon

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Adeline’s War of 1812 Journal: November-December 1814

This is a fictional journal written by a young woman settled in Edwardsburg Township during the war of 1812.

Sunday, November 27, 1814

Dear Janetta,

I have been so occupied with my sons, that I haven’t had an opportunity to take up my quill pen until today.Elizabeth and William stopped by to join us for our Bible lesson and some hymns and stayed to share our midday meal so Vickie is keeping Charles and Andrew amused now that she can toddle around.I have received another letter from England, this time from Persephone Meldrum, Charle’s married sister.This is what she wrote:

“Dearest Sister-in-Law,

I do hope you think of me as a sister and know how gratified I am that Charles wrote to us about your marriage.I fear that you may not have felt welcomed to our family.You must understand that our father was distraught at the news of Charles’ murderand naturally upset that he was not able to deal with the necessary inquiry himself.

I pray that you have begun to recover from your natural grief.I expect your children are a great consolation.I know that my father is about to offer to educate Charles and Andrew here in England and will tell you my husband, Percival Meldrum Esquire, and myself have a very comfortable accommodation for your sons here at Meldrum Manor.Nanny Parsons is in charge of our three daughters, Leona, Lavinia and Lydia and is quite prepared to take on two more children.We will of course, employ an extra tutor for your sons and treat them as if they were ours.They will also be attended by our own physician Mr. Bell, who is much respected in the highest society.

Please, do not feel at all compelled to send your children to England, but you need to be informed of the advantages of which they will be assured.Father has even now making arrangements at Oxford College for their future studies should they have the aptitude. If not, they will be certain of a commission in the army.

I anticipate with much pleasure, meeting you and my two nephews next spring.

With fondest regards,

Persephone Houghton-Meldrum”

Persephone seems to be very considerate of my feelings and it is generous of her and her husband to accept the great imposition of my children into their home, but I cannot bear the thought of being separated from my boys.I showed Mother and Father the letter andthey only remarked that it seemed a good opportunity for my sons to earn their way in society, but they have been careful not to press me to conform to the wishes of the Houghton family.

Am I being selfish keeping my children with me, when they could have a comfortable future back in England? I wonder what Robert would advise me to do. Perhaps I should ask him when next he brings his mother to visit.

Anxiously,

Adeline

Sunday, Dec. 18,1814

Janetta,

Wonderful news, just before Christmas! Bourke has been captured by White Wolf and Robert. He was trying to get back across the St. Lawrence. He has been incarcerated in the jail at the fort in Prescott. My sons and I will sleep much more safely from now on although I will need to go to Fort Welllington to identify him as my persecutor. I hope this is the last we hear of him.